OBITUARY: Samuel “Sam” Welty Bayer

Samuel “Sam” Welty Bayer, 84, of Hagerstown, Md., died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012, in his home.
Born May 6, 1928, in Ringgold, Md., he was the son of the late Daniel George and Rachel Elizabeth Garber Bayer. He grew up in the Leitersburg and Benevola area.
Following a stint in the Army during the Korean War, he was employed by the Office Equipment Co. of Hagerstown from 1953 to 1965. He was executive director of the Washington County Community Action Council from 1967 to 1970. He established and founded the Cumberland Valley Revue magazine in 1971, which he and his wife published for 25 years. He was an active member of the Leitersburg Ruritan Club for more than 20 years. Sam was a member of the American Legion Morris Frock Post 42, D.A.V. Chapter 14, Exchange Club of Hagerstown, R.S. Tagg Jr. and attended Trinity Lutheran Church. He also served as an elected Judge of Orphans Court of Washington County, Md., from 2002 to 2006.
In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of 30 years, Lois Wandel Bowden Bayer, who died July 14, 1996; three brothers, Joe, Paul and John Bayer; and one sister, C. Elizabeth Bayer.
He is survived by twin step children, Lois Bowden Shoemaker of Lewes, Del., and George Bowden and wife, Judith of Arbutus, Md.; three brothers, Harlan Bayer of Waynesboro, Pa., Daniel Bayer of Roanoke, Va., Kenneth Bayer of Wirtz, Va.; four sisters, Nora Boone of Rocky Mount, Va., Frances King of Hagerstown, Md., Julia Benedict and Esther Bayer, both of Waynesboro, Pa.; three stepgrandchildren, William Widdows, Dorothy Widdows York and husband, John and Laura Shoemaker Keller and husband, Adam; 11 step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Memorial services will be held for family and friends at the Douglas A. Fiery Funeral Home, 1331 Eastern Blvd. North, Hagerstown, Md., on Monday, Dec. 10, 2012, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. John Bayer Jr., officiating.
Family will receive friends at the funeral home one hour prior to the memorial service.
Sam chose to donate his body to the Maryland State Anatomical Board for medical research.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association of Md. Inc., 11 Columbia St., Room 13, Cumberland, Md. 21502-1617.
Online condolences may be expressed at:
www.douglasfiery.com

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